Anthony started attending the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County 4 years ago because his older brother was a member. His brother used to come home and talk about things he did while at the club and the fun he had so Anthony decided to learn more about it.

Anthony says “The club is a great, safe place for kids to come, get help with their homework and have a great time”.  He participated in some of the classes offered at the club, but his favorite thing was being a Junior Counselor where he got to work with the younger kids during the summer program.

If I wasn’t here at the club, I would be home and bored.  When I come here, I get to play basketball and be with my friends that I don’t go to school with.  I’ve met some really cool people here, especially the staff”

Anthony knows that there are people he can talk to whenever he is having a problem or just needs some advice.  “I know when I am having a bad day, or get into trouble; I can talk to Mr. Omar because he always seems to understand what I am going through.  My dad passed away and although I have an older brother I look up to, Mr. Omar has always been there for me and I know I can count on him to help me out.”

Anthony wants to join the military or do something in law in order to help people.  “When I joined Keystone Club and we went to the Steak and Burger dinner, I heard about people from New Orleans that had some really bad things happen with the flood a few years ago.  It was really sad and it made me want to be able to help people in my area; in my community.  The Boys and Girls Club helped me realize that there are a lot of people who need help and some live right next door to me.  I want to help them like I was helped”